GLASSBORO, NJ – The William Paterson University men's basketball team held on for a 94-89 conference win at Rowan University on Wednesday night.
 
The Pioneers sealed the victory with 14 points at the line in the last 2:30.  Forward Sean Smith (jr. Moraga, CA/Campolindo) led the way with six foul shots in six attempts.  In the final 1:24, Rowan pulled within one point four times.  Guard/forward Ramon Wright (sr. Newark, NJ/Irvington) had a layup (0:22) and the Profs trailed 88-87.
 
Smith sank two free throws (90-87) at the 20 second mark.  Wright made two foul shots (0:09) and the score was 90-89.  Smith went to the line again (0:09) and hit two to lead by three (92-89).  Rowan missed a three-pointer attempt with five seconds left.  Forward Myles McLeod (jr. Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) had the final points (0:01) with two free throws.
 
William Paterson is 14-9 overall and 9-7 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.  Rowan has a 17-6 record with an 11-5 conference mark. 
 
For the Pioneers, forward Nasir Fields (so. Winslow Twp., NJ/Winslow Twp.) recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.  He was a perfect eight-for-eight at the line.  McLeod came off the bench and scored 19 points.  He also grabbed eight boards.  
 
Smith produced 18 points and guard Domenic Mignone (so. Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) had 14. Guard Justin Lingat (so. Toms River, NJ/Toms River E.) collected six rebounds.
 
Guard DaRon Curry (sr. Deptford, NJ/Phelps School (PA)) led the Profs with 20 points.  Wright ended the game with 15 points and 13 rebounds.  Guard Nick DePersia (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) contributed with 16 points and guard Rob DePersia (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) followed with 15.  Rob DePersia also totaled five rebounds, five assists and four assists.   
 
Guard Connor Dickerson (fr. Marlton, NJ/Moorestown) registered 13 points and six boards.  Center Diante Bah (jr. Mount Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) blocked three shots and pulled down six rebounds.  
 
William Paterson started the second half with a 15 point advantage (45-30).  Smith hit a three to lead 52-37 at 16:41.  Rowan followed with a 10-1 run to cut the deficit to six (53-47) at 14:21.  Nick DePersia and Curry each nailed a three-pointer while Bah and Wright had one basket apiece.   
 
McLeod's jumper put the Pioneers ahead by 12 (70-58) with 8:59 remaining.  Rob DePersia had a three-point play (5:51) and the Profs were down by six (72-66).  Smith drilled a three at 4:36 and the score was 77-68.  Curry answered with a three-pointer (3:59) and Dickerson had a layup (3:36) to pull within four (77-73). 
 
Smith started the foul shot run with two at 2:30, which made the score 82-77.  Rob DePersia had two free throws at 1:24 (84-83) and 0:51 (86-85).  Mignone kept William Paterson on top, 88-85 with two foul shots with 30 seconds left before Wright's basket at 0:22. 
 
Rowan is home again on Saturday, Feb. 9 against Rutgers-Newark at 5 p.m.